System and method for redirecting communications for a mobile device

ABSTRACT

A method and system for automatically triggering call redirecting in response to a mobile device detecting its connection to a host such as a personal computer, is provided. In one embodiment, the mobile device detects connection by sensing application of a charging voltage via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection, and signaling the mobile device processor of the event. In response, the mobile device processor automatically decides to which alternative endpoint communications should be forwarded, and either instructs its transmitter to transmit a forwarding command to a network operations centre or instructs the host to transmit the command through the Internet. The network operations centre switch is operable to receive a call redirecting command respecting the mobile device from either the mobile device or the host to which the mobile device is connected, and adjusting its settings to effect call redirecting for subsequent communications for the mobile device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The following is directed in general to mobile communications devices,and more particularly to a method and system for automaticallyinstructing a network operations center in a mobile communicationssystem to redirect communications for a mobile device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mobile communications devices (mobile devices), such as wireless PDAs,cellular telephones and smart phones, are becoming increasingly popularfor business use due in part to the tendency of today's worker to be outof the office while still being required to be in touch with colleagues,customers and clients. Mobile devices are also very popular for personaluse as they enable a person to communicate with friends and family fromnearly any location. The relatively recent increase in sophistication,decrease in cost and improvements in services and features supported bymobile communications infrastructures and devices have made suchproducts and services increasingly attractive to users.

Communications features such as call redirecting (also known as “callforwarding”) help make mobile devices really useful for users. Callredirecting enables a communication device user to command the device'snetwork operations center to redirect communications for thecommunications device to an alternate communications endpoint. Forinstance, an email normally received wirelessly by the mobile device maybe redirected to a desktop computer, or a telephone call normallyreceived wirelessly by the mobile device may be redirected to a desktoptelephone. To effect redirecting, using the mobile device a usermanually initiates a wireless command to a call controller to redirectcalls for the mobile device to an alternate communications device. Abenefit accruing from mobile device call forwarding in particular is theoption of a user employing a generally less-expensive “land-line”network to receive calls for the mobile device, while being accessiblevia the mobile device communications address. For instance, when a userreaches the office the user may want all incoming mobile devicecommunications to be directed to their desktop telephone. Similarly,when the user gets home for the day, the user may want all incomingmobile communications to be directed to their home telephone.Furthermore, in anticipation of soon being outside a wireless servicearea, a user has the option of, for instance, continuing to receivecalls by having the wireless network redirect calls through an alternatenetwork to a land-line communications device in a location the userexpects to be.

Most network operators offer call redirecting as an option to beactivated on the user's account for a fee. In fact, call redirecting iswell known in the industry as a method by which a user can deal withmultiple phone numbers. However, a difficulty with the requirement ofthe user to manually activate and de-activate the service is that it isvery easy for a user to forget to do so. That is, in a situation whereredirecting would be advantageous to the user, a user must remember toinform the network operations center to redirect communications. Afurther difficulty with activation by wireless command is that, wherewireless access is not available to a mobile device user, redirectingcannot be activated using the mobile device.

Cingular, a wireless provider headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., has offeredbattery chargers incorporating a feature named FastForward™ to addressthe problems due to mandatory manual activation of call forwarding.FastForward endows a battery charger with the intelligence to send amessage to a mobile device to which it is connected, causing in turn themobile device to send a wireless command to the network operationscentre to redirect all calls to an alternate communications endpoint.Cingular's solution is useful in that it overcomes the requirement thatcall forwarding be activated manually. However, FastForward is asomewhat complex and costly logic component to add to the batterycharger, and battery chargers incorporating the feature must beconnected to a mobile device via both a serial data connection and apower connection. Normally, a user is not willing to spend large sums ofmoney for a battery charger. Furthermore, Cingular's solution does notaddress the problem of being unable to trigger call forwarding whileoutside a wireless coverage area.

It is object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a methodand system for triggering redirecting of calls for a mobile device thataddresses at least the above-described deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method and system for triggering redirecting of calls for a mobiledevice is provided wherein the mobile device detects its connection to ahost, and in response initiates transmission of a command to a networkoperations center to redirect communications for the mobile device to analternate communications endpoint.

The method can be implemented entirely by the mobile device.Alternatively, the mobile device may instruct the host to transmit thecommand in certain situations such as when the mobile device is unableto gain access to a wireless network in order to transmit the command.

Provided also is a system in a network operations center that receivescommands from a host to redirect calls for a mobile device to which thehost has been connected to an alternate communications endpoint. Thus,such a network operations center may be operable to receive suchcommands from either the host or the mobile device.

As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, theprovision of automatic triggering of redirecting of calls enables a userto set up the feature once and let it activate itself in response to auser's action. Also, the benefit of having the mobile device initiatethe call redirecting command in response to detecting the connection isthat a battery charger need not do so (keeping its cost low), andspecial programs for communicating with a mobile device need notnecessarily be installed. When required, the additional benefit ofhaving the host transmit the command to the network operations center isthat the feature can be activated when the phone is outside its wirelessservice area, or when non-wireless command transmission is mostbeneficial. Thus, the call redirecting feature may be used to its fulladvantage when actually needed.

These together with other aspects and advantages, which will besubsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of the preferred embodiment is set forth indetail below, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical communications system including amobile device, a host and a network operations centre in which themethods and systems described herein may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is block diagram showing the features of the mobile device ofFIG. 1 for triggering call redirecting;

FIG. 2A shows exemplary tables in a database stored in memory of themobile device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the features of a switch in thenetwork operations centre of FIG. 1 with which the host of FIG. 1 maycommunicate;

FIG. 3A shows an exemplary switch table in a database stored in memoryof the switch of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the basic steps implemented by the mobiledevice of FIG. 2 for triggering call redirecting;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in more detail the steps implemented bymobile device to detect a connection to a host;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing in more detail the steps and decisionsimplemented by mobile device to determine how a call redirecting commandis to be transmitted;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing in more detail the steps and decisionsimplemented by mobile device after determining how a call redirectingcommand is to be transmitted to initiate transmission of a callredirecting command;

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary call redirecting command sent from mobiledevice or host to network operations centre switch, and an exemplarycall redirecting cancel command;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the basic steps implemented by the networkoperations centre switch of FIG. 3 for receiving a call directingcommand and effecting call redirecting;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in more detail the steps implemented bynetwork operations centre switch for determining an address of thealternate communications endpoint upon receiving a call redirectingcommand;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the steps implemented by networkoperations centre switch for canceling call redirecting upon receipt ofa cancel command.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIG. 1, a communications system 10 in which theinvention may be implemented is shown. System 10 includes a mobiledevice 12 which under typical circumstances communicates voice and/ordata using a wireless protocol with a network operations centre 50 viaan antenna 52. Network operations centre also comprises a switch 54connected to antenna 52 for coordinating directing of communicationsreceived for mobile device 12 and other such devices that are part ofthe network.

Mobile device 12 is connectable via an advanced USB (Universal SerialBus) charging cable 20 to a host PC 22. Charging cable 20 is capable oftransferring data between mobile device 12 and host PC 22 and, ifrequired by mobile device 12, coincidentally transfer a charging currentto mobile device 12 for maintaining its power supply's charge or forpowering mobile device 12 while it is connected to host PC 22.

The USB specification was developed by a group of companies that wereinterested in developing a communication bus specification forconnecting devices such as handheld mobile devices and personalcomputers. USB is now a pervasive standard for connecting mobile phones,devices, digital cameras and so forth to personal computers. One of thechief benefits to USB is its improved plug-and-play capability.Plug-and-play is a computer industry term used to describe functionalitywhereby devices, upon connection to a host, may immediately exchangedata with the host. Some prior technologies required re-booting of thecomputer to which a new device was connected to have the computerexecute a number of initialization routines in order to recognize such adevice prior to data exchange. Other standards such as RS232 that areconsidered plug-and-play compatible are not as robust in the sense thatdetection of, and exchange of initial identification packets with,devices is not guaranteed. Furthermore, such standards cannot boast thedata transfer speeds that USB offers. Another chief benefit of USB isthat it is a bus structure, so that many devices can be daisy-chainedoff of very few USB connectors.

With USB, a user can connect a handheld device to a computer andimmediately synchronize data such as telephone numbers, contacts,appointments, digital photographs and the like without re-booting thecomputer.

A USB device is connected to a host using a USB cable, which comprises aVbus and GND wires for power transfer, and D+ and D− wires for datatransfer. Through the Vbus and GND wires, power (at typically 5 volts)may be transmitted to a USB device in order to operate the device orre-charge its power supply. Through the D+ and D− wires, data can betransferred at one of several selected rates agreed upon duringhandshaking between the host and the device.

Further details of the USB specification can be found at the USBImplementers Forum (IF) website at http://www.usb.org.

Host PC 22 is connected to network operations centre switch 54 via datanetwork 23. Connection and communication on data network 23 is made asis well known in the art using any suitable data network configurationand protocol, such as Ethernet TCP/IP (Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol—the Internet) in combination with SMTP(Simple Mail Transfer Protocol—standard email).

An alternate telephone 24 is connected, via telephone network 25 tonetwork operations centre switch 54. Connection and communication oftelephone network 25 is made as is well known in the art using anysuitable telecommunications network configuration and protocol, such asPSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) or ISDN (Integrated ServicesDigital Network). Connection between telephone 24 and switch 54 may notbe direct. It is more likely that these components are connected via avast series of call controllers, switches etc. that are part oftelephone network 25.

According to the illustrated embodiment of the invention, when mobiledevice 12 is connected via USB cable 20 to host PC 22, mobile device 12detects the connection and initiates transmission of a command tonetwork operations centre 50 to redirect calls for mobile device 12 toalternate communications endpoint 24. As will be described in moredetail below, the command may be sent to network operations centre 50 byhost PC 22 through data network 23 to switch 54 or by mobile device 12wirelessly via network operations centre antenna 52.

The components for handling the foregoing in mobile device 12 are shownin further detail in FIG. 2. Wireless transceiver 26 is connected toantenna 27 and handles transmission and reception of wirelesscommunications to and from network operations centre 50 via networkoperations centre antenna 52. Processor 28 handles coordination of thefunctions of mobile device 12. Processor 28 is connected via an internaldata bus (shown only in part) in a known manner to wireless transceiver26, device memory 30 and advanced USB interface 34. Power supply 32 isconnected to the other components of mobile device 12 via a power bus,only the connection to USB interface 34 shown for the purposes describedherein. Power supply 32 comprises batteries and supporting circuitry forhandling power management and charging functions. Device memory 30contains programs and data usable by processor 28 for operating andconfiguring mobile device 12.

USB interface 34 and processor 28 interchange signals regarding thecoordination of data being received from host PC 22 and regarding themanagement of operation of USB interface 34. This interchange is doneunder the coordination of the programs in device memory 30. Forinstance, the receipt of data by USB interface 34 from host PC 22 issignaled to processor 28, and in response processor 28 can coordinatestorage of the data in memory 30, or control other components of mobiledevice 12 on the basis of the data. Furthermore, when USB interface 34is connected to a similar, counterpart USB interface in host PC 22 viaadvanced USB charging cable 20, USB interface 34 can detect a chargingvoltage applied by host PC 22 and in response signal processor 28 of theapplication of the charging voltage. As can be seen, such a signal is anindication to processor 28 that mobile device 12 is connected to host PC22.

The USB specification is generally ideal for connection of mobiledevices to host PCs because of its plug-and-play capability. That is, ahost PC can recognize that a mobile device has been connected and starttransferring data almost instantly, without having to go through theshut-down/re-start procedures as has been typical of parallel, serialconnections etc. in the past. Plug-and-play capability is provided bythe host PC operating system which is able to detect interrupts from theUSB interface generated when the USB interface detects a to load devicedrivers into memory upon detection of a load at its USB interface.

FIG. 2A shows tables in database 31 in memory 30 of mobile device 12. Ascan be seen, a number of preferences are available to a user toconfigure the behavior of mobile device 12 for initiating transmissionof a call redirecting command. Such preferences include the option toturn auto call redirecting ON/OFF, the option to first have mobiledevice 12 transmit the call redirecting command (as opposed to host PC22, for instance), and the option to obtain an alternate address forcall forwarding locally (i.e. from database 31 of memory 30).Furthermore, other tables shown include preferences for associatingaddresses of alternate communications endpoints with different hosts(work computer, home computer etc.), and/or associating addresses ofalternate communications endpoints with time of day such that thealternate communications address sent with a redirecting command (asdescribed below) is based on the time of day the redirecting command issent.

As would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, host PC 22comprises an advanced USB interface for communication via advanced USBcharging cable 20 with mobile device 12 and for providing a chargingvoltage via advanced USB charging cable 20 to mobile device 12. The USBinterface on host PC 22 receives instructions from mobile device 12 totransmit a redirecting command to network operations centre 54 via itsEthernet network interface. The command sent by host PC 22 may be emailor another such message.

The components of network operations centre switch 54 for handlingreceipt of a redirecting command from either mobile device 12 or host PC28 are shown in FIG. 3. Switch 54 includes a wireless transceiver 56 fortransmitting and receiving data and/or voice to and from devices such asmobile device 12, via antenna 52. Switch 54 also includes an Ethernetinterface 58 for handling communications on data network 23, and atelecommunications interface 60 for handling receipt and for directingcalls between devices such as mobile device 12 and other devices ontelephone network 25. Switch 54 further includes memory 62 for storingswitch operation programs and data, a power supply (not shown), and aprocessor 66 for handling operation of switch 54. Processor 66 isconnected to the other components of switch 54 via an internal data bus(only parts shown for illustration purposes), as would be understood byone of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 3A shows a table in database 63 in memory 62 of network operationsswitch 54. As can be seen, a call request arriving at switch 54identified by a telephone number can be associated with a mobile deviceID and transmitted to the corresponding mobile device. Additionalcolumns in the table include a call redirecting flag and an alternativeendpoint identifier, as will be described in further detail below.

Mobile device 12 and network operations centre 50 exchange voice and/ordata in any conventional manner during standard operations ofcommunications system 10. For instance, when a user of mobile device 12wishes to place an outgoing call, a call request including anidentification of the desired endpoint is transmitted by mobile device12 to network operations centre 50 for relaying to telephone network 25for distribution to a call controller corresponding to the desiredendpoint. When the outgoing call request is answered, the two devicesare connected and communications between parties may proceed. In asimilar manner, calls for mobile device 12 from other endpoints arerelayed onto telephone network 25 to network operations centre 50.Switch 54 receives the identification of mobile device 12 in theincoming call, and directs the incoming call to mobile device 12.

The procedure for connecting calls received from, for instance, a TCP/IPtelephone via data network 23 or through wireless transceiver 56, whileeach employing respective communications standards and protocols, is forthe purposes of triggering call redirecting the same as those receivedfrom telephone network 25.

When an incoming call request is received by network operations centre50 (whether, as mentioned above, the call request is received viawireless transceiver 56, data network 23 or telephone network 25),processor 66 is alerted. In response to receipt of the incoming callrequest, processor 66 (instructed by programs in memory) parses theincoming call request to extract the telephone number identifying mobiledevice 12. Using the telephone number as a key, processor 66 refers to adatabase 63 in memory to retrieve a hardware ID for mobile device 12,and has transceiver 56 send a ring instruction to mobile device 12. Whenthe user of mobile device 12 answers the call, switch 54 connects theincoming call to mobile device 12.

The method of operation of system 10 for triggering call redirectingwill be described below.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the basic steps of the method fortriggering redirecting of calls for mobile device 12. First, mobiledevice 12 detects a connection to host PC 22 (step 100). At this stage,mobile device 12 has become aware on its own that it has been connectedto host PC. In response to the detection of the connection, mobiledevice 12 determines how calls should thereafter be forwarded (step200). Once mobile device 12 has determined how calls should beforwarded, mobile device 12 initiates transmission of a command tonetwork operations centre 50 to redirect calls for mobile device 12, inaccordance with the determination.

In general, step 100 comprises when mobile device 12 is connected tohost PC 22 via advanced charging cable 20, USB interface 34 detectingthe application of charging voltage and signaling processor 28 of thedetection. USB interface 34 also retrieves a host PC ID from host PC 22.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing in more detail the steps implemented bymobile device 12 to detect a connection to host PC 22 (step 100). Inparticular, and available in further detail in the above-mentioned USBspecification, upon connection of device 12 to host PC 22 via USB cable20, a change in Vbus is detected by USB interface 34 (step 102). Timingdelays are comprehended by USB interface 34 of the device to permitstabilization of the Vbus power (step 104). Once the Vbus power ispermitted to stabilize, the data connection on D+ and D− is tested forstability (step 106) before software in host PC 22 attempts to reset orotherwise control the device, and transfer speeds are agreed-uponbetween host 22 and device 12 (step 108). Once handshaking has completed(step 110), host 22 and device 12 are ready to communicate data. Ofparticular importance to the present invention, however, is that oncehandshaking has completed, device 12 can confirm that it is validlyconnected to host 22 and may therefore make the decision to determinehow calls should be forwarded (step 200). It does not have to wait forsome kind of instruction through USB cable 20 from host PC 22 to do so.USB interface 34 invokes an interrupt or similar mechanism to informprocessor 28 of the valid connection (step 112). In response, processor28 invokes a program to handle call forwarding, as described below.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing in more detail how it is determined thatcalls should be forwarded (step 200) once the connection to host PC 22has been established. Processor 28 of mobile device 12 refers to userpreferences stored in a user preference area in memory 30 to determinewhether calls should be forwarded upon connected to host PC 22 (step202). If the user preferences indicate that no automatic call forwardingis to take place upon connection to host PC 22, then no call forwardingcommand needs to be sent (step 204). If the user preferences indicatethat call forwarding is to take place upon connection to host PC 22,then processor 28 signals transceiver 26 to test whether mobile device12 can wirelessly communicate with network operations centre 50 (step206). If it is found by transceiver 26 that mobile device 12 cannotwirelessly communicate with network operations centre 50 (as wouldoccur, for instance, if mobile device 12 was outside of its wirelessnetwork range), then processor 28 determines that call forwardingcommands should be sent by host PC 22 (step 208) via network 23 tonetwork operations centre 50. If it is found by transceiver that mobiledevice 12 is able to wirelessly communicate with network operationscentre 50, then processor 28 determines from user preference tables indatabase 31 whether a user has set preferences to transmit callforwarding commands wirelessly (step 210). If so, mobile device 12determines that call redirecting commands should be sent wirelessly bymobile device 12 to network operations centre 50 (step 212). If not,mobile device 12 determines that call redirecting commands should besent by host PC 22 (step 208).

Once it is determined how calls should be forwarded (step 200), thenmobile device 12 initiates transmission of a command to networkoperations centre 50 to redirect calls for mobile device 12 to analternate communications endpoint (step 300). FIG. 6 shows step 300 infurther detail.

As would be understood, network operations centre 50, when receiving acall forwarding command, must know to which alternate communicationsendpoint 24 calls for mobile device 12 should be redirected. To thisend, the communications address of the desired alternate communicationsendpoint 24 in the form of a telephone number is stored in the database63 in memory 62 of switch 54. The telephone number of the alternatecommunications endpoint 24 may be provided by mobile device 12 eitherautomatically or at the user's request when sending a call redirectingcommand or host PC 22 when doing the same.

With reference to FIG. 7, processor 28 of mobile device 12 firstdetermines whether it has the alternate address in memory 30 forincluding with the command (step 302). This is determined by referencingmemory 30 to find a record having host PC ID as the key. If memory 30has the alternate address, then the alternate address is retrieved frommemory 30 by processor 28 (step 304) and processor 28 can proceed toarrange for transmission of the command with the alternate address (step306). If memory 30 does not have the alternate address, then processor28 sends a request for the alternate address through USB interface 34and USB cable 20 to host PC 22 (step 308). Host PC 22 sends a responseincluding the alternate address (step 310) and processor 28 can proceedto arrange for transmission of the command with the alternate address(step 306).

Should host PC 22 not respond with the alternate address, then processor28 of mobile device 12 proceeds under the assumption that networkoperations centre switch 54 has the alternate address in its memory(step 312).

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary call redirecting command 350 for sending frommobile device 12 or host PC 22 to network operations centre switch 54.

If, during the determining (step 200), processor 28 had established thatmobile device 12 is to transmit the command, processor 28 retrieves thecommand from memory 30. Processor 28 then inserts the alternatecommunications address (if obtained in step 300) into the command andinstructs transceiver 26 to transmit the command to network operationscentre 50 using antenna 27.

If, during the determining (step 200), processor 28 had established thathost PC 22 is to send the command, processor 28 retrieves the commandfrom memory 30. Processor 28 inserts the alternate communicationsaddress (if obtained in step 300) and sends an instruction including thecommand through USB interface 34 and USB cable 20 to host PC 22 for hostPC 22 to transmit the command. Upon receipt of the instruction, host PC22 transmits the command through data network 23 to network operationscentre switch 54. It will be understood that, as needed, host PC 22 mayrepackage the command into a suitable format, such as e-mail, prior toits transmission.

FIG. 7A shows exemplary call redirecting commands sent by either host PC22 or mobile device 12 to network operations centre switch 54. As can beseen, the call redirecting commands contain the “REDIRECT” command, anidentification of the mobile device (in this case, its hardware ID), andoptionally an alternate endpoint identifier. The call redirectingcommand may contain error management data as would be understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art for reducing the chance ofmisinterpretation by network operations centre switch due to corruptionduring transmission. An exemplary call redirecting cancel command isalso shown containing the “CANCEL REDIRECT” command and anidentification of the mobile device. It will be understood that thesecommands are shown in concept only, and may be transmitting in one ofmany forms, such as embedded in a wireless data packet, an email orother carrier suitable to the channel and the device.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the general steps acted out by networkoperations centre switch 54 in order to handle the call redirectingcommand. Upon receipt of the call redirecting command (step 400), switch54 determines the alternate communications endpoint 24 (step 500) andthen makes arrangements so that incoming calls for mobile device 12 areswitched to the alternate communications endpoint 24.

Receipt of a call redirecting command (step 400) comprises wirelesstransceiver 56 of switch 54 providing processor 66 with the receivedcommand. Processor 66 proceeds to determine in respect of which deviceswitch 54 handles the command has been sent, and the alternate addressto which calls are to be redirected (step 500).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing in more detail the steps involved indetermining the alternate address (step 500). First, processor 66 ofswitch 54 parses the command to determine which device the command isfor (step 502). If the alternate address is contained in the command(step 504), then processor 66 obtains the alternate address from thecommand (step 506) and updates the alternate address field in thedatabase 63 in memory 62 (step 508). If the alternate address is notcontained in the command, then processor 66 looks up the recordcorresponding to mobile device 12 in memory 62 to determine whether analternate address has already been specified (step 520). If at thisstage the alternate address is not in the record of mobile device 12 inmemory 62, then an error is declared (step 512) because a callforwarding command has been issued but no alternate address isavailable. Errors are handled in any suitable manner, as would be knownby one of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, a message may be sentback to mobile device 12 indicating that call forwarding cannot proceedor. Alternatively, simply no action may be taken.

If the alternate address is available, then processor 66 sets theredirecting flag in the record corresponding to mobile device 12 to ‘Y’(step 600). That is, to forward calls to alternate communicationsendpoint 24. Any subsequent calls for mobile device 12 will be treatedby switch 54 as calls for alternative communications endpoint 24. Suchsubsequent calls are redirected through telecommunications interface 60to alternate communications endpoint 24. As would be understood, thechannel through which calls are redirected (whether throughtelecommunications interface 60, Ethernet interface 58 or wirelesstransceiver 56) depends on which alternate communications endpoint 24 isspecified by the alternate address.

If conditions on mobile device 12 change, such as for instance mobiledevice 12 determines from periodic testing that it is able to connectwirelessly to network operations centre 50, transmission of anothercommand may be initiated by mobile device 12 to either cancel callredirecting or to change the alternate communications endpoint to whichcalls are redirected. Such changed conditions may include disconnectionof mobile device 12 from host PC 22, a specific request of a user, auser preference keyed to time of day, etc.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the general steps taken by networkoperations centre 50 to cancel call redirecting in response to a“Cancel” command. It will be understood that a “Cancel” command is verysimilar in form to a redirect command.

Referring to FIG. 10, processor 66 of network operations centre switch54 first receives a “Cancel” call redirecting command (step 700). Aswith the redirecting command process (see FIG. 8), processor 66 proceedsto determine that the command has been sent in respect of mobile device12 (step 800). At this stage, processor refers to database 63 in memory62 and alters the record for mobile device 12 in database 63 by settingthe redirecting field to ‘N’ (step 900). That is, call redirecting formobile device 12 is de-activated.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilledin the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exactoperation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitablemodifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within thepurpose and scope of the invention.

For example, a host could be a number of different devices, as long asthe mobile device is able to detect its connection to the host such thatinitiating transmission of the redirecting command has a meaningfuleffect. That is, the nature of the connection must be that which enablesthe mobile device to know it has been connected to a valid host andtherefore the necessity of initiating transmission of a redirectingcommand. As such, the host could be a personal computer (as describedabove), a battery charger, a standalone cradle for car or home, or anyother suitable device.

While a USB connection has been described, it will be understood thatthe methods and systems described herein are applicable to other typesof connections. For instance, Bluetooth™ short-range wirelesstransmission could be used by a mobile device to connect to a hostdevice. When a mobile device is carried into a room having the host, forinstance, the mobile device and host would be within Bluetoothtransmission range and therefore mobile device could initiatetransmission of the call redirecting command on that basis. Otherconnections might be contemplated, such as infrared, serial data,parallel data, regular power etc. Also, on a very basic level, aconnection could be signaled by closure of a physical switch on themobile device when physically coming into contact with a host cradle,for instance.

It is also conceivable that, where the host is instructed to transmitthe command, that the command could be transmitted using alternatewireless means by the host, or the host further instruct anothercomponent to which it is connected to send the command on its behalf.

Many permutations and combinations of the ideas embodied above can becontemplated. For instance, the database 31 on the mobile device mayinclude a number of alternate communications addresses associated withrespective host IDs. As such, the mobile device could be connected toany one of a number of hosts, and initiate transmission of a redirectingcommand for redirecting to associated respective alternatecommunications endpoints.

Furthermore, communications for the endpoint could be phone calls andsignals, emails, chat communications, etc. The alternate communicationsendpoint could be a standard telephone, an IP telephone, another mobiledevice, a cell phone, a computer connected to the Internet, a server forstoring emails for access by users, or any other device that is capableof being referred to or of storing communications using a uniquecommunications endpoint identifier such as an IP address, email addressetc.

The methods and systems of the present invention may be implemented atleast partly in software. The software would be in the form of acomputer readable medium containing processor-executable code thereonfor performing the disclosed steps. In the mobile device, for instance,detection of the USB +5V charging voltage by a circuit could triggerloading and/or operation of a software program from nonvolatile memoryfor handling determining whether the voltage has stabilized, confirm theconnection by handling successful handshaking, and trigger callredirecting or fully handle it.

1. A method of triggering redirecting of communications for a mobiledevice, the method comprising: said mobile device detecting connectionof said mobile device to a host; in response to said detecting, saidmobile device automatically transmitting a command to a networkoperations centre to redirect calls for said mobile device to analternate communications endpoint.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: prior to said transmitting, retrieving an identification ofsaid alternate communications endpoint; and including saididentification in said command.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein saidconnection is an advanced Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and saiddetecting connection comprises detecting a predetermined chargingvoltage level applied by said host through said USB connection.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said connection is an advanced UniversalSerial Bus (USB) connection and said detecting connection comprisesreceipt by said mobile device through said connection of a hostidentifier.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said connection is ashort-range wireless connection.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein saidconnection is one of a Bluetooth and an infrared (IR) connection.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said detecting connection comprises detectingclosing of a physical switch, said physical switch closing when saidmobile device and said host are connected.
 8. A method of triggeringredirecting of communications for a mobile device, the methodcomprising: said mobile device detecting connection of said mobiledevice to a host; in response to said detecting, said mobile deviceinstructing said host to automatically transmit a command to a networkoperations centre to redirect calls for said mobile device to analternate communications endpoint.
 9. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising: prior to said transmitting, retrieving an identification ofsaid alternate communications endpoint; and including saididentification in said command.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein saidconnection is an advanced Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and saiddetecting connection comprises detecting a predetermined chargingvoltage level applied by said host through said USB connection.
 11. Themethod of claim 8, wherein said connection is an advanced UniversalSerial Bus (USB) connection and said detecting connection comprisesreceipt by said mobile device through said connection of a hostidentifier.
 12. The method of claim 8, wherein said connection is ashort-range wireless connection.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinsaid connection is one of a Bluetooth and an infrared (IR) connection.14. The method of claim 8, wherein said detecting connection comprisesdetecting closing of a physical switch, said physical switch closingwhen said mobile device and said host are connected.
 15. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: prior to said instructing, said mobiledevice determining that said mobile device is unable to transmit saidcommand.
 16. The method of claim 8, wherein said command is anelectronic message.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said electronicmessage is an email.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein said mobiledevice is unable to transmit said command when said mobile device isunable to access a wireless network.
 19. The method of claim 9, whereinsaid identification is retrieved from memory on said mobile device usinga host identifier.
 20. The method of claim 8, further comprising: priorto said instruction, said mobile device determining that said host is totransmit said command.
 21. The method of claim 20, wherein saiddetermining is based on at least one of: time of day and whether saidmobile device is configured to transmit said command.
 22. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: detecting a disconnection of said mobiledevice from said host; as a result of said detecting a disconnection,said mobile device transmitting a further command to said networkoperations center to redirect subsequent calls for said mobile device tosaid mobile device.
 23. The method of claim 8, further comprising:detecting a disconnection of said mobile device from said host; as aresult of said detecting a disconnection, said host transmitting afurther command to said network operations center to redirect subsequentcalls for said mobile device to said mobile device.
 24. In a mobiledevice, a system for triggering redirection of communications for saidmobile device, said system comprising: a detector for detectingconnection of said mobile device to a host; a transmitter for, inresponse to said detecting, automatically transmitting a command to anetwork operations centre to redirect communications for said mobiledevice to an alternate communications endpoint.
 25. The system of claim24, further comprising memory for storing an identification of saidalternate communications endpoint, wherein said command includes saididentification.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein said connection isan advanced Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection and said detector is acharging voltage level detector for detecting a predetermined chargingvoltage level applied by said host through said USB connection.
 27. Themethod of claim 24, wherein said connection is an advanced UniversalSerial Bus (USB) connection and said detector is a host identifierdetector for detecting receipt by said mobile device through saidconnection of a host identifier.
 28. The method of claim 24, whereinsaid connection is a short-range wireless connection and said detectoris a short-range wireless connection detector.
 29. The method of claim28, wherein said connection is one of a RF and an infrared (IR)connection.
 30. The method of claim 24, wherein said detector is acircuit having a physical switch that closes when said mobile device andsaid host are connected.